Vagal innervation patterns following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in the mouse

L. Gautron, J. F. Zechner, V. Aguirre

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study investigated the anatomical integrity of the vagal innervation to the gastrointestinal tract following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) in the mouse. Specifically, the surgical procedure was performed in high-fat-fed reporter mice (Phox2b-Cre-tdTomato), in which the entire vagal innervation of the gastrointestinal tract was fluorescently labeled. As a result, our anatomical observations revealed both qualitative and quantitative changes of the vagal supply to the gut after RYGB. This included the extensive denervation of the glandular and distal stomach, and sites of surgical interventions (clipping and anastomosis). Furthermore, the stomach wall after RYGB frequently contained dystrophic axons and endings, suggestive of vagal neurodegeneration. In contrast, RYGB did not significantly modify the innervation to the rest of the intestines and glucostatic organs. In summary, the present study describes a previously unrecognized pattern of vagal remodeling and denervation following RYGB. Our findings may serve as a guideline for future investigations on the role of gut-brain communication in bariatric surgery.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1603-1607
Number of pages5
JournalInternational Journal of Obesity
Volume37
Issue number12
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2013

Keywords

  • Roux-en-Y gastric bypass
  • bariatric surgery
  • diabetes
  • mouse
  • vagus nerve

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Nutrition and Dietetics

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